A Published Writer vs. An Aspiring Writer

 

            Everywhere I turn someone is asking how to climb out of the slush pile and attract a publisher’s attention. After reading over twenty books on “how to get published” I have come to the conclusion that there is no magic wand to accomplish this daunting task.  But, here are a few things I have picked up along the way. Feel free to print this chart out and hang it on your wall above your computer for encouragement.

Writer                          vs.                    Published Writer

  • Loves the rush of a new concept

  • View rejections as a personal attack

  • Refuses to make changes to manuscripts

  • Waits until they find some free time to write.

  • Lets bad days keep them from writing.

  • Submits without researching the guidelines

  • Doesn’t own a grammar rulebook.

  • Only reads the newspaper on Sundays.

  • Refuses to ask questions

  • Stays in their own bubble

  • Thinks small

  • Allows other’s opinions to discourage them.

  • Doesn’t own a copy of the writer’s market
  • Enjoys the excitement, but realizes there is work involved in the process.

  • Doesn’t take rejections personally

  • Never gives up

  • Learns from their mistakes and other’s mistakes

  • Makes time to write

  • Gladly makes changes to fit an editor’s guidelines.

  • Sets goals

  • Submits regularly.

  • Reads as many books as possible

  • Attends as many workshops and seminars as possible

  • Realizes there is no graduation from this learning process

  • Gets involved with other writers

  • Thinks BIG

  • Realizes everyone has an opinion and no two opinions are alike